Answer:
No, a photon with a wavelength of 500 nm can't ionize a sodium atom.
Step-by-step explanation:
Step 1: Find out Energy of given wavelength:
The relation between wavelength and frequency is as follow,
υ = c / λ
where
υ = frequency = ?
c = velocity of light = 3.0 × 10⁸ ms⁻¹
λ = wavenumber = 500 nm = 500 × 10⁻⁹ m
Putting the given values,
υ = 3.0 × 10⁸ ms⁻¹ / 500 × 10⁻⁹ m
υ = 6.0 × 10¹⁴ s⁻¹
Also we know that,
E = h υ
Where;
E = Energy
h = Plank's Constant = 6.6262 × 10⁻³⁴ Js
Putting value of frequency,
E = 6.6262 × 10⁻³⁴ Js × 6.0 × 10¹⁴ s⁻¹
E = 3.97 × 10⁻¹⁹ J
Step 2: Compare given energy and calculated energy:
As we know,
0.5 mJ = 500000 J
Also,
500000 J > 3.97 × 10⁻¹⁹ J
Conclusion:
The energy of calculated wavelength of photon is less than 0.5 mJ hence, it is unable to ionize sodium atom.